"What was that?" Jennifer asked nervously as the entire room shook and the lights went out, eventually being replaced by the backup lights.
"Doesn't look good." Lorne said as Caldwell tried to contact the bridge for an update. Getting nothing on the internal comms he asked no one in particular.
"What has McKay done to my ship?"
"It may not have been him." Jennifer said.
"With his track record?" Lorne asked as he tried to open the doors. Turning back to Caldwell he said. "Jammed."
"I guessed as much. Looks like we're in lock down." Caldwell said.
"Isn't that dangerous?" Jennifer asked. "what happens if we are flying towards an iceberg equivalent?"
"We weren't last time I checked." Caldwell said. "But we do need to get out of here."
"Ventilation ducts?" Lorne suggested.
"Won't work for the two of us, but Keller should get through."
"If she makes it to the lab she could at least find out what happened."
"The lab is one level down, but on the other side of the ship. There is a lot of ducting to crawl through." Caldwell said as he brought up the schematics on his laptop.
"She can make it." Lorne replied.
"I guess I don't get a choice in this." Jennifer said quietly as the two men kept discussing their plan. "Why would I? Just get the non military person, recently crushed by a building, with no sense of direction to do the hard work."
"Say something doc?" Lorne asked looking up.
"No."
"Okay, well you may want to come and review these plans. You are going to have to navigate through several ducts." Lorne said as Jennifer moved over.
"There's no way I am going to be able memorise that." Jennifer said.
"I've got an idea." Lorne said moving to the far side of the room where his bag was. "I should have a couple of field radios in here. They should maintain a signal even through the ducts."
"Should?" Jennifer asked nervously as Caldwell pulled the cover off the ventilation shaft.
"It'll be fine." Lorne assured her pulling out a radio and handing it to her. He then pulled out a flashlight and said. "You'll probably need this as well."
"Thanks."
"So ready?" Lorne questioned.
"No." Jennifer said causing Lorne to stare at her. "Should I have a gun?"
"Gun?" Caldwell asked.
"You are assuming this," she said waving her hands round the dimmed room, "is because of Rodney. What if the ship has been taken over. You could be sending me into danger with no way to protect myself."
"No offence Dr Keller, but my ship feels safer without you having a gun." Caldwell said. "But if you really want one and promise not to fire at any of the sides thus causing a catastrophic atmospheric release and death to all near by you can have Lorne's sidearm."
"Fine, I'll stick with my knife."
"What knife?" Caldwell asked.
"Ronon gave her one." Lorne said as he asked Jennifer.
"You ready now."
"No." She repeated as Lorne once again stared at her until she relented and said. "Fine."
"Good. I'll give you a leg up." The Major grinned cupping his hand.
When Jennifer was finally inside the duct Lorne used his radio to ask. "You okay there doc?"
"Peachy. For the record, these ducts are a health hazard. They are filthy. If I get attacked by some sort of giant mutated spider I am holding you responsible."
"Relax doc, you'll be fine. Let me know when you get to the first junction."
For the next few minutes Jennifer crawled through the cramped ducts until she heard something. Stopping she listened, hoping the sound was her overactive imagination. When she heard nothing she breathed a sigh of relieve and kept crawling until she heard another sound coming from ahead of her. Once again she stopped and listened. Hearing another sound she grew paranoid when suddenly Lorne's voice came over the radio causing her to jump and smack her head on the top of the duct.
"Damn it." She whispered.
"What's wrong doc?"
"There is something in here with me." She whispered.
"What?"
"I don't know. I can't see it, but I can hear it. Sounds like an army of killer rats."
"My ship does not have rats Dr Keller." Caldwell said, sounding almost upset over the allegation. "Most likely cause is the ducts are contracting with temperature variations. When they do that, they make loud bangs."
"You sure?" Jennifer whispered.
"I'm sure. Just keep moving."
"Easy for you to say." Jennifer muttered as she started to crawl forward.
"Remember the radio link is active." Lorne warned her. Ignoring him she kept crawling further into the darkness. She had just passed another duct crossing when something grabbed her ankle. Screaming she lashed out with her other foot hitting something. The blow causing her other foot to be released. Turning she shone the light on what had grabbed her.
"Damn it Keller, did you have to kick so hard?" John asked clutching his face.
"Sheppard?" Jennifer asked ignoring the concerned calls of Lorne over the radio. "What are you doing in here? Why did you grab me? Are you trying to scare me to death?"
"I didn't mean to scare you." John apologised when he saw how much the flashlight wavered as Jennifer trembled. Moving closer to her he reached out and gently touched her leg and asked. "You okay?"
"Apart from the whole near heart attack thing, yeah."
"Nothing is going to hurt you. It is just us in here." He said before asking. "Why are you here?"
"Ask your evil underling." She said holding the radio out to him.
"Evil underling?" John asked amused.
"Everything okay in there?" Caldwell asked over the radio, his voice full of concern.
"Everything's fine Sir." John said.
"Sheppard? What are you doing in there?"
"When the power went down I guessed that McKay was involved so was trying to make it to the lab when I ran into the doc."
"Keller okay?" Caldwell asked.
"She'll be fine as soon as her heart rate goes back to normal."
"Consider yourself lucky, she nearly took a sidearm with her." Lorne said.
"Why?" John asked looking at Jennifer.
"To fend off a Wraith invasion, other alien entities or space pirates." Jennifer said.
"Sidearms don't do much good against Wraith." John said.
"How do they work against Colonels who attempt to scare people to death by crawling through ventilation shafts?"
"Probably a little too well." John said. "So you want to head back or come with me?"
"Seeing I have made it this far I'll keep going. Besides you may not fit through some of these shafts."
"Are you saying I'm fat?" John asked.
"No, I am not saying that. I just meant that..." Jennifer started, beginning to get flustered until she saw John's smirk at which point she said. "Mind you your BMI was elevated in your last medical."
"That increase is all muscle." John said before asking. "You ready?"
"You want me to lead?"
"Well you are already in front and just incase I do get stuck I won't slow you down." John said.
"Fine." Jennifer said rolling back over and restarting her crawl, John following closely behind. As they crawled through the duct John tried very hard not to become fixated on Jennifer's rear.
-00-
"What's wrong?" John asked several minutes later when he noticed Jennifer was stopping.
"The duct is blocked."
"Blocked how?" John asked, unable to see round Jennifer.
"Sealed off. Looks like a mini door. I can't see a control panel."
"Can you move to one side?" John asked needing to get past and not wanting to go back five minutes to get to the previous duct intersection.
"Umm." Jennifer started, not entirely sure where she was meant to be moving to.
"Lie flat." John said. "I'll crawl over you."
"Um, okay." Jennifer said as she flattened herself against the ground of the duct. Moments later she felt John's knees by her feet as his hands fell either side of her knees.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yeah." She said, her voice more squeaky than she was expecting. She then felt John move over her towards the blockage. When he was straddling her midriff he leaned forward and started scanning the blockage.
"You okay down there?" John asked, surprised that Jennifer was being so quiet.
"Fine." Jennifer said as she tried to ignore their close proximity.
"Well it is blocked." He said as he slid back down Jennifer.
"So what do we do?" Jennifer asked rolling over to look at John.
"Not sure yet." He said as he tapped the radio. "Sheppard here, the duct is sealed. Any way to get round or through?"
"No. The only reason for the duct to be blocked there is for a failsafe to have been tripped." Caldwell explained. "It may be possible to force the duct open. The hatch that has slid into place is not very strong. Try kicking it."
"Kicking it?" John asked wondering how he was going to get his legs near enough the hatch to kick it.
"Yes kick it." Caldwell said.
"Give us a few minutes, it could be tricky to reorientate ourselves." John said before glancing over to Jennifer who looked like she was trying some sort of Yoga position. "Umm, doc, what are you doing?"
"Trying to get my feet at the blockage end." Jennifer said as she managed to squeeze her legs round.
"The joys of being supple." John said. "You want to try kicking, whilst I try to rearrange my limbs?"
"Sure." Jennifer said as she started pounding the blockage, the sound covering John's muttering as he tried to reposition. When he was finally the right way round he said.
"Ok, back away from the blockage and I'll squeeze past."
"Ok." Jennifer replied, slightly breathless from the kicking, as she pressed herself against the side. Moments later she felt John slide down her body. When he was past he pointed out.
"Um doc, you can move now." Jennifer was saved from replying by the banging of John's kicks.
-00-
"I think this will require both of us." John said a few minutes later. "Can you squeeze in the gap beside me. If we are lying on our sides we should both fit."
"I'll do my best." Jennifer said sliding down the duct. When she was finally in place John rested his hand on her hip and asked.
"Ready?"
"Yes." Jennifer said, trying to ignore the feeling of John's chest in her back.
"Count of three." John said, slightly distracted by the smell of Jennifer's hair. "One, two, three." With that they both started kicking the blockage. After several minutes of failed effort John said.
"Stop. So much for the blockage being weak." John said trying to get his breath back. "You okay?"
"I need to spend more time in the gym." She said resting her head against the bottom of the duct.
"Seeing how little impact I made I think we both do." John said, noticing Jennifer slightly shake he asked. "You cold?"
"A little. Clearly I didn't kick hard enough."
"Don't think that's the reason." John said. "I think the temperature is dropping." He then removed his hand from Jennifer and tried to dig the radio out of his pocket. Finally finding it held it to his head and said.
"This is Sheppard come in."
"What's taking so long?" Caldwell asked.
"Can't shift the hatch." John said. "Bigger problem is that it seems to be getting cold."
"We noticed that too." Caldwell said. "My guess is whatever took down the power has taken down environmentals or power is being routed to core systems only."
"Now what?" Jennifer asked.
"Back to kicking." John said.
"At least it will keep us warm." Jennifer replied.
"There is that." John agreed as the pair started kicking, both trying their best to ignore the other's body.
After several minutes they finally broke through. Both exhausted they collapsed in an entwined heap and waited to get their breath back. With her mind wandering to places it definitely shouldn't Jennifer said.
"I guess we better get going?"
"Yeah." John agreed reluctantly, more than happy to remain in his current position.
"Okay, we're through." John said over the radio as Jennifer wriggled down his body through the hatch.
"Good. Go another thirty feet and there will be a hatch leading down a level." Caldwell said.
"Understood." John said killing the connection and following Jennifer.
-00-
"Is it just me or are these ducts getting smaller?" Jennifer asked.
"This level is definitely smaller than the one above. I am regretting that extra turkey sandwich." John said as he followed Jennifer.
"We have an intersection." Jennifer said, causing John to turn the radio on again.
"You need to go left round the bend, then there should be an exit ten feet down the duct on the right. It will take you straight to the lab." Caldwell said.
"Thank god." Jennifer said.
"You don't like spending time with me?" John asked feigning hurt.
"Right now air would be nice." Jennifer said as she squeezed round the bend. She was just reaching the exit when she heard John say.
"Crap."
"What?" She asked looking back.
"Really regretting that sandwich now." John said. "I'm stuck."
"Stuck?" Jennifer asked. "Really?"
"Yes really." John said straining to free himself.
"Hang on." Jennifer said contorting her body into more strange positions in order to have her head closer to John than her feet.
"How do you do that?" John asked. "I barely have enough room to breathe."
"Yoga, you should try it." Jennifer said as she took hold of Johns arms. "I'll pull you wriggle?"
"Definitely not a plan I have ever heard before, but sure."
"Ready?" Jennifer asked.
"Ready." John agreed as she started to pull his arms as tried to free himself. After a couple of minutes Jennifer let go of John and rested her head on the ground of the duct.
"Sorry, you are really stuck." Jennifer panted. She then lifted her head and looked at John and started laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Sorry, this just reminds me of Winnie the Pooh."
"Winnie the Pooh?" John asked.
"Yeah he's a bear with honey addiction."
"I know who Pooh Bear is, why does this remind you of him?"
"Oh, the story where he visits Rabbit and gets stuck in Rabbit's hole."
"I remind you of Winnie the Pooh?" John asked quirking an eyebrow.
"That'a not an insult." Jennifer said. "Pooh Bear got me through a lot."
"That would explain the scruffy bear in your quarters."
"Firstly, he is not scruffy, just well loved. Secondly, when did you see him?"
"When I was dressing your hands, I saw him poke out from under the blanket on your chair."
"Sheppard, what's the hold up?" Caldwell asked on the radio, breaking up the conversation.
"I got a little stuck." John said.
"Are you free now?"
"Not so much."
"Can't Keller go on? You are right over the lab." Caldwell suggested, wanting his ship back.
"She was just trying to-" John started, stopping when he heard a loud clang and the duct started to move. Subconsciously Jennifer reached out and grabbed John's arms as the duct started dropping at the far end by her feet. Moments later the end of the duct had detached from the ceiling and Jennifer was only saved from falling into the room below by John. However, the pull of her entire body was enough to dislodge him resulting in both of them falling through the duct and landing in a heap on the ground.
"You okay?" John asked as he lay across Jennifer.
"No. But I'll live." Jennifer said opening her eyes, surprised to find John's nose an inch above hers.
"You sure?" He asked, his eyes swirling with concern.
"Um hm." She said. "But could you, um, roll off me."
"Oh, yeah, sorry." John said rolling off the doctor before getting to his feet. "You sure you're okay?"
"Fine." She said sitting. "Are we in the wrong room?"
"This looks like the lab." John said. "But no Rodney."
"So this has all been for nothing?"
"Not nothing. We have identified a structural weakness in the ventilation system." John said.
"And a way to free the Silly old Bear." Jennifer smiled.
"Not funny doc." John said offering her a hand.
"Really, I think it's a good-" Jennifer started until she put weight on her ankle. "Ahhh."
"What's wrong?" John asked immediately wrapping his arms round her waist to steady her.
"Ankle, must have landed badly."
"Let's get you down." John said lowering her back to the ground. "Okay?" He asked.
"Great."
"Stay there, I am going to check the doors and look for signs of McKay." He said as he left Jennifer to poke her ankle. A few minutes later he came back to Jennifer, handing her a first aid box.
"Well good news is the lab looks safe, bad news is no sign of McKay or anyone and the doors are locked."
"So we're still trapped, but have no idea why?" Jennifer asked.
"Yeah."
"You should probably call Caldwell."
"Probably, but I lost the radio in the fall." John said.
"So, still trapped, no idea why and no link to anyone else?" Jennifer surmised.
"Pretty much. How's the ankle?"
"Sprained."
"Want me to strap it?"
"I think I'll pass on that offer. I would like to be able to still use my leg."
"My strapping was not that bad." John said. "It did its job."
"It did." Jennifer conceded. "But it wouldn't have won any prizes for neatness or practicality."
"Again, it did its job. Your hands were kept clean and padded."
"And rested." Jennifer said. "Thanks to you I couldn't use my hands."
"Seeing you were meant to be resting how was that a problem?"
"I couldn't eat."
"True, but we got round that. Anyway aren't you the last person to be lecturing me about dressings. You're a doctor. Everyone knows that doctors can't do dressings. Nurses are the important ones when it comes to first aid."
"Even my dressings are better than yours." Jennifer pointed out as she continued to wrap her ankle. "Amount of time you spend in the infirmary you would have thought you would have picked up better habits."
"I'm a hands on kinda guy. I learn by doing, not observing." John explained.
"So you are saying you need lessons?" Jennifer asked.
"You offering me private tuition?" John questioned causing Jennifer to blush slightly.
"I would, but as you pointed out I am just a doctor. I'm sure Gary Lyth would help you."
"Maybe not." John said shuddering at the thought of applying dressings to the man nicknamed 'the Beast'. "Sure it is just a sprain?" He asked looking at Jennifer's ankle.
"As sure as I can be." Jennifer replied looking round. "Can you pass me that box?"
"Why?"
"So I can elevate my ankle, hopefully keep the swelling down."
"You can use me." John said as he sat and raised Jennifer's ankle so it rested on his lap.
"Aren't you going to escape and find Rodney."
"Well I would, but the duct is so broken I wouldn't get back up and even if I did, we proved I get stuck." Seeing Jennifer was smiling again he asked. "Thinking about Pooh again?"
"Kind of. I was remembering in the cartoon when Rabbit tried to make best of the situation and framed his backside then drew a face and added horns."
"You want to draw on by backside?" John asked again bringing a blush to Jennifer's face.
"Not where I was going."
"Do I even want to know where this is going?"
"Lorne is always looking for somewhere to hang his art."
"Not funny doc." John warned before he noticed the temperature. "Damn, it's getting cold again. Let's hope that is because Rodney is trying to fix the problem. I'm going to see if there are some blankets hidden anywhere in here. Be right back." He said gently lifting Jennifer's leg and freeing himself. As he stood he turned and Jennifer saw his back for the first time since they met in the duct.
"What's happened to your back?"
"Huh?" John asked confused as he tried to look at his back.
"Sit." Jennifer ordered, pointing to a chair. "Shirt off." She added as she gingerly got to her feet.
"You are meant to be resting." John pointed out.
"My ankle will be fine, that wound may not be. When did you do it anyway?"
"No idea, when the duct gave out maybe?" John said as he took his T-shirt off and sat down.
"Doesn't it hurt?" Jennifer asked as she started examining the wound.
"Not really." John said. "It is probably a scratch."
"Bigger than a scratch." Jennifer said. "Shouldn't need stitches though. However, infection is a big risk. I'm going to clean it, but we need to monitor it over the next few days, who knows what you will have picked up in there."
"You know doc, if you want to spend time with me, you could just ask." John grinned. "Awww, you could have warned it would sting."
"Sorry." Jennifer replied. "Would a band aid help? I can probably find some Winnie the Pooh ones when we get home." She added as she secured a dressing John's back. Sensing she was done John swung round so he was face to face with Jennifer, their noses less than an inch apart. Whatever he was going to say though was interrupted by the doors opening.
"Next time you want to change the para-" McKay ranted at Kavanagh before noticing John and Jennifer.
"How did you get here? Why are you here? Wait, where's your shirt. Tell me you're not Kirking it with Jennifer?"
"We're here because we were trying to reach you to find out why you had broken the ship, only the duct broke."
"I didn't. It did? That doesn't explain your shirt, well lack of."
"I cut my back during the fall."
"So you ripped your shirt, then removed it when next to a female? You are so Kirk." Rodney said as Caldwell stormed into the lab.
"What have you done to my ship?" He growled.
"Nothing. Why do you think it was me?" McKay asked indignantly.
"Track record." John suggested.
"That is completely unfair. It wasn't me, it was Kavanagh. He changed all the protocols and didn't tell anyone." Rodney said as Kavanagh glared at him.
"If you knew how to run a scie-" Kavanagh started only for Caldwell to say.
"Enough. Not another word Kavanagh. As for you McKay I am going to ask a series of questions, I want one word answers. Do you understand?"
"Of c-" McKay started only to be cut off by Caldwell again.
"One word, McKay."
"Fine." Rodney said.
"Is the problem fixed?"
"Yes."
"Any permanent damage?"
"No."
"Any non permanent damage to my ship?"
"No."
"Anything else I need, I stress the word need, to be aware of right now."
"No."
"Good. Make sure all systems are running at a hundred percent. I will be on the bridge." With that he left the lab causing Jennifer to ask Lorne.
"What did you do to him?"
"What do you mean?" Lorne asked confused.
"He seemed a little crabby."
"I wasn't the one who suggested his ship had a rat infestation." Lorne pointed out as John stood and put his T-shirt back on.
"Lorne, make sure these two don't break the ship." Sheppard said pointing to Rodney and Kavanagh. "I need to get the doc to the infirmary." With that he hooked Jennifer's arm round his shoulders and led her out.
"What's wrong with Jennifer?" Rodney asked.
"Ankle. Landed badly." Lorne replied.
"Which you know how?"
"They had a radio, which they didn't realise was transmitting."
"You were eavesdropping? What'd they say?"
"I can't reveal that. But yeah we were eavesdropping. Kinda hard not to. Anyway if you two promise to behave I am going to check for injuries elsewhere and get the Colonel a honey sandwich."
"Why does he want a honey sandwich?" Rodney asked perplexed as Lorne left.
-00-
"It's open." Jennifer shouted as her door chimed later that evening back on Atlantis.
"What have we said about locking doors?" John asked entering.
"Those instructions were contrary to the 'do not move under any circumstance' instructions I got in the infirmary." Jennifer said from her bed where she was lying ankle raised on several pillows.
"You saying you listen to doctors more than military?"
"You saying you don't?" Jennifer countered. "How's the back?"
"Fine. Just a scratch."
"And the face?" She asked noticing John had a bruise on his cheek.
"It's fine. But you have a good kick." He smiled.
"Sorry." Jennifer apologised.
"Nothing to apologise for." John shrugged.
"So I brought you food and some films. Thought you may be getting bored." He said placing the tray on the night stand.
"You have no idea." Jennifer said.
"So where is he?"
"He?"
"You know who I'm talking about." John said causing Jennifer to lift up her bed covers revealing a battered but loved Winnie the Pooh.
"May I?" John asked holding out his arms.
Slightly reluctantly Jennifer handed over the bear to John who looked at it then held it up alongside his head and said.
"I look nothing like him."
"You did call him scruffy earlier and that is how you hair is often described. And you both get stuck in holes." Jennifer grinned. "So what film is it?"
"A series of short cartoons." John smiled as he set up a laptop before he turned back to Jennifer who had moved over and made room for him on the bed.
"You didn't?" She asked, her voice full of excitement.
"I did"
"How?"
"Captain Norris has two kids, both are obsessed with Pooh Bear. He had all versions. But I guessed you would prefer a classic."
"Please tell me you got Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree?" Jennifer pleaded.
"Against my better judgement I did." John said grinning as he sat next to Jennifer on the bed.
"Thank you." She said as she rested her head against his shoulder, whilst holding her battered bear in her arms.
"Any time doc."